The Official Azzurri thread 2

[Bagg10]

Thursday January 17 2013

Buffon best world keeper of 25 years
By Football Italia staff

Gigi Buffon has emerged as the world’s best goalkeeper in the last 25 years, announced the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.

The Juventus and Italy shot-stopper came out on top in a calculation of votes from 1987 to 2012 by ‘selected editorial staff and experts from all the football continents.’

Buffon was top, followed by Spain and Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas in second and Edwin Van Der Sar in third.

Peter Schmeichel and Oliver Kahn completed the top five positions.

Fellow Italian Walter Zenga was the next-highest placed Azzurro in joint eighth place with Andoni Zubizarreta.

http://www.football-italia.net/29592/bu ... r-25-years

[RomaShield27]

Prandelli will pick U-21 stars
Friday January 25 2013/ http://www.football-italia.net/29909/pr ... u-21-stars

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli says Stephan El Shaarawy and Marco Verratti will be part of his Confederations Cup squad. There were doubts whether the two would appear in the tournament next summer given that the Italian Under-21 side will be fighting for the European title at the end of this season too.

“I still need to speak with Under-21 boss Devis Mangia,” Prandelli told the Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview.

“The Euro Under-21 Finals are important, but the national side is the priority. We’ll divide the players and I think I’ll have El Shaarawy and Verratti with me.

“A lot of people criticised El Shaarawy after his debut in the England friendly, but I saw a real player.

“I told him to go and give his best for Milan and we would see each other again. I didn’t need him to score 14 goals.

“Verratti? I wanted to take Francesco Lodi to the European Championship. I spoke to Catania boss Vincenzo Montella, but then I decided to make a decision based on the future by selecting Verratti in the 30-man list. An Under-21 international in the full squad, that’s why I thought it was scandalous that he was allowed to leave Italy.”

Prandelli has opened the doors of his side to promising youngsters and he has his eyes on 19-year-old Sampdoria ace Mauro Icardi.

“He wants to play for Argentina? He’s told us something different,” Prandelli said of the boy who has a decision to make.

“We spoke, there was an agreement, then something happened. But we’re still hopeful.”

The former Fiorentina Coach was also inevitably asked for his thoughts on Daniele De Rossi and Mario Balotelli given their problems at Roma and Manchester City respectively.

“There is no need to phone De Rossi. It’s right that he faces this situation with his Coach as an adult. Daniele is hard and he’ll come out of this even stronger.

“I’ve spoken with Balotelli, I gave him some personal advice that will remain between ourselves.

“The hope remains the same, that Mario finally invests in himself. That he says, OK, now is the time to become the best in the world. That he only allows the footballer to speak.

“I still believe and there is no reason why a Coach should give up on him. There is no other Coach apart from Mancini who merits Mario’s thanks. He wanted him, defended him. Mario needs to do what Mancini asks of him.

“We’ve had no problems with Balotelli. He’s always the last to training, but never late. I have an advantage over Mancini, I work with him for brief periods, but he was impeccable at Euro 2012.”

Prandelli was also asked about the international prospects of Lazio ‘keeper Federico Marchetti and Ezequiel Schelotto.

“Marchetti is doing well and we are following him. He could be part of the squad next time. But, with me, Gigi Buffon will be the first choice until the world ends.

“The use of Schelotto as a right-back? He’s the first guy that isn’t convinced. Instead, he should be because that is where he can impose himself and be useful for us.

“He has the legs of a winger, but not irresistible dribbling skills. Atalanta boss Stefano Colantuono has spoken to him about that too.”

[RomaShield27]

Not sure why Osvaldo has been called up, clearly Prandelli hasnt seen any Roma games lately.

Italy: Cerci among new faces
Sunday March 17 2013 / http://www.football-italia.net/32006/it ... -new-faces

Mattia De Sciglio, Alessio Cerci and Luca Antonelli are in Cesare Prandelli’s Italy squad to face Brazil and Malta. The Azzurri play Brazil in a friendly in Geneva on Thursday March 21, then travel to Malta for the World Cup qualifier on March 26.

Torino winger Cerci has represented Italy at all youth levels, but never received a senior call and last wore the Azzurri colours in 2009. He has seemed more mature and reliable with the Granata this season after got his debut call from Prandelli.

Genoa wing-back Antonelli has been in the Italy squad before, but not since 2010. Milan youth product De Sciglio is promoted from the Under-21 side to senior level, although he is still only 20 years old.

Marco Verratti is not included because the midfielder picked up an injury with PSG. Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and Bologna duo Alberto Gilardino and Alessandro Diamanti are also rewarded for recent form.

Roma pair Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Daniele De Rossi are both suspended against Malta, but can face Brazil. The Italy squad will get together at the Coverciano training ground on Monday afternoon and present the new team strip for the Confederations Cup.

[p_maldini_3]

i'm not sure why de sanctis keeps getting called up.

[Bagg10]

[Bagg10]

New jerseys for Confederations Cup:
http://www.tuttosport.com/foto/Calcio/I ... +ufficiale

The Euro ones were nicer.

[DCGweez]

Quite a match. De Rossi played a fine game. Only Mario and JC were on par with him. Italy were the better team.

[Bagg10]

Tuesday March 26 2013

De Sanctis international retirement
By Football Italia staff

Napoli goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis has announced his international retirement on his 36th birthday. “This is my last time with the Nazionale.”

The shot-stopper is in Malta with his Italy teammates for tonight’s World Cup qualifier and is on the bench.

“I’m sorry, but this is my last time with the Nazionale,” he told the squad and Coach Cesare Prandelli this morning.

He chose his 36th birthday to make the decision after six caps.

De Sanctis most recently played for Italy in the 3-1 win over Denmark on October 16 2012.

http://www.football-italia.net/32338/de ... retirement

[Bagg10]

Thursday May 16 2013

Gazzetta predicts Italy squad
By Football Italia staff

The Gazzetta dello Sport has predicted the 30-man shortlist that Italy boss Cesare Prandelli will name for the Confederations Cup.

The Azzurri will travel to Brazil this summer, but only after a friendly against San Marino and a World Cup qualifier versus the Czech Republic.

Prandelli is set to name a 30-man squad for those encounters at some point over the next 48 hours. He will then trim the party to 23 for the Confederations Cup by June 3.

The Gazzetta claims that young guns such as Roma’s Mattia Destro, Marco Verratti of Paris Saint-Germain and Lorenzo Insigne of Napoli will be left to the Under-21 squad for next month’s European Championship.

New faces could include Cagliari’s Marco Sau and Atalanta midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura.

Possible 30-man preliminary squad – Goalkeepers: Buffon, Marchetti, Sirigu, Consigli (or Viviano).

Defenders: Abate, Antonelli, Astori, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Sciglio, Maggio, Ogbonna (or Ranocchia).

Midfielders: Aquilani, Bonaventura, Candreva, Cerci, De Rossi, Diamanti, Giaccherini, Marchisio, Montolivo, Pirlo, Poli.

Forwards: Balotelli, El Shaarawy, Giovinco (or Gilardino), Osvaldo, Pazzini, Sau.

http://www.football-italia.net/34252/ga ... taly-squad

[DCGweez]

Goalkeepers: Agazzi (Cagliari), Buffon (Juventus), Marchetti (Lazio), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain)

Defenders: Abate, Antonelli, Astori, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Sciglio, Maggio, Ogbonna, Ranocchia

Midfielders: Aquilani, Bonaventura, Candreva, Cerci, De Rossi, Diamanti, Giaccherini, Marchisio, Montolivo, Pirlo, Poli

Forwards: Balotelli, El Shaarawy, Gilardino, Giovinco, Osvaldo, Sau

[Bagg10]

We have a shortage of fullbacks in Italy...

[DCGweez]

And CDs. Wonder if we'll go 3 man backline. Think Florenzi should have been put in there, not because he's a Romanista either. He could play wide with a 3 or 4 man backlne. Also a good runner and energetic defender for Pirlo.

[juventino_italiano]

[DCGweez]

Yeah, I wonder why no Veratti either. Scary to think what would happen were Pirlo to go down.

[Bagg10]

To be fair, Verratti, Destro, and Florenzi would only get some garbage minutes as subs. I think it was the right move to let them represent the U21 team that they all helped get to the tournament. I think it's better for their growth as players as well.

Whereas players like Bounaventura, Giaccherini, Candreva, Cerci, and Sau are all a bit older. I think regardless of whether we make it to the next round, we have at least 3 good games for them to show how valuable they can be (given that they actually make the team and then get minutes).

[p_maldini_3]

i do not understand prandelli's boner for giaccherini. he is only 76 in FIFA.

[DCGweez]

Italy: Buffon; Maggio, Ranocchia, Ogbonna, Antonelli; Poli, Pirlo, Aquilani; Diamanti, Gilardino, Bonaventura

San Marino: A Simoncini; Rinaldi, Della Valle, D Simoncini, F Vitaioli; Cervellini, Bollini; Cibelli, M Vitaioli, Gasperoni; Selva


If it's the B team why'd we bring Pirlo?

[RomaShield27]

http://english.gazzetta.it/Football/31- ... 6654.shtml? / Milano, 01 June 2013

Poli, Gilardino, Pirlo and Aquilani score in an easy test in Bologna. Applause for Balo who is foiled by the post. Poli, Gilardino, Pirlo and Aquilani find the net. Cerci impresses. Injury for the impressive Antonelli

Italy beat San Marino 4-0 in a friendly match in Bologna to prepare for the upcoming Confederations Cup in Brazil. The goal scorers were Poli, Gilardino (in front of his home fans), Pirlo and Aquilani. The match functioned as a kind of test for the reserve players, lined up alongside Buffon and Pirlo, in order to assess the supporting cast to take to South America on 9 June (the first match falls on the 16th against Mexico in Rio de Janeiro ) and it should be remembered for the liveliness shown by Antonelli, the usual lust for goals from Gilardino (the only true centre forward on the squad), goals from Poli and Aquilani, and Cerci’s 1v1 exploits on the wing (he’s also unique for the role he can play as an outside attacker in Prandelli’s 4-3-3). Bonaventura and Sau made their debuts, although they failed to really shine.

SIMONCINI SHOW — Italy struggled a bit to find their stride. It could be that the reserve players aren’t used to playing together. It could be that it’s always difficult for Italy to find the motivation against rather modest opponents, even when they’re playing for a potential seat on the plane to Brazil on 9 June. The first 28 minutes were all about Aldo Junior Simoncini showcasing his game. The San Marino keeper, a former third and then fourth choice keeper for Cesena, first denied Bonaventure, then Aquilani (back again in an Azzurri shirt), and then frustrated Gilardino, who was chomping at the bit to score in front of his many fans in Bologna. He later found the net, but was foiled by the assistant referee’s flag, as was Maggio. And like so, Aldo Junior Simoncini kept his team in the match, while in the press box reporters were feverishly clicking his name on Google.

ITALY’S ONE-TWO PUNCH — On 28 minutes, when the 0-0 was starting to become rather irritating to the Azzurri, Poli surged forward to score with his right. It was the first international goal for the 23-year-old midfielder with Sampdoria. In the 34th minute Gilardino doubled the lead, pouncing after Simoncini parried a shot from Aquilani. It was the 18th international goal for the Bologna striker. Antonelli came off just before the whistle (a heavy bruise to his shin) and the teams entered the dressing rooms with the score at 2-0.

PRANDELLI CHANGES THE ATTACK — In the 49th minute off came Gila and Diamanti, with the fans chanting "Stay with us" to the midfielder due to the constant transfer rumours swirling in recent days, and on came Cerci and Balotelli. Mario received warm applause from the fans and support before kick-off from Cecile Kyenge, Minister of Immigration, and Giancarlo Abete, head of the FIGC. Then newcomer Sau took the place of Bonaventura, also receiving his first cap. Pirlo, who went the distance, made it 3-0 by bending a lovely free kick into the top corner. After an effort from Balotelli smacked off the post, Aquilani added the fourth by capitalising on a mistake from San Marino’s second goalkeeper, Valentini. At the final whistle it was 4-0. But things will be far more complicated on 7 June in the World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic in Prague.

from our correspondent
Riccardo Pratesi
© RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA

[p_maldini_3]

Ogbonna, Ranocchia miss Italy cut
By Football Italia staff

Angelo Ogbonna and Andrea Ranocchia are the notable names to miss Cesare Prandelli’s cut for the Italy squad to take to the Confederations Cup.

In a delayed announcement on Monday evening, Prandelli has listed the 23-man squad to take to this summer’s tournament in Brazil.

Alongside the two young defenders Ogbonna and Ranocchia, goalkeeper Michael Agazzi, midfielders Giacomo Bonaventura and Andrea Poli and forward Marco Sau are also omitted.

Luca Antonelli pulled out earlier today having suffered an ankle injury during Friday’s friendly against San Marino, whilst Pablo Daniel Osvaldo was removed from the original 31-man roster in a disciplinary move.

The squad notably lists Riccardo Montolivo, Stephan El Shaarawy and Andrea Barzagli, a trio that had missed Friday’s San Marino encounter through injury, with Barzagli today still seen as a real doubt to recover from struggles with an Achilles.

However, all three took part in Monday’s second training session, have made the cut and will prepare for the Azzurri’s trip out to Brazil this summer, preceded by a World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic this Friday evening.

Italy squad for the Confederations Cup

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Marchetti (Lazio), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain)

Defenders: Abate (Milan), Astori (Cagliari), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli)

Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Candreva (Lazio), Cerci (Torino), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus)

Forwards: Balotelli (Milan), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus)

[p_maldini_3]

only 7 defenders, even though 2 of them can play in two positions, de sciglio and chiellini.

although i'm really happy that ranocchia isn't in the team. i don't know why he was there in the first place.